Building construction and the like



J Sept. 15, 1925.

- W. S. THOMAS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND THE LIKE F1105 Nov. 26, 192;,

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- W. S. THOMAS BUILDING cous'rnucnou AND-THE LIKE Filed Nov. 2a, 1923 s Sheets-Sheet. s

Patented Sept. 15, 1925.

WIN GATE 8. THOMAS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORI TO KNALPP BROTHERS MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BUILDING oons'rrtucrron AND THE LIKE.

Application filed November 26, 1923. Serial No. 677,128.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, VVINGATE a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Building Constructions and the like, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention has to do with certain im provements in building constructions and the like. The invention has reference partic-u-larl to improvements in the constructlon of base boards and similar running strips. The invention has reference particularly to improvements in the form and construction of the fitting used at corners and other special places where the direction of the running strip is changed.

More particularly the invention has to do with improvements in fittings of the above general class which are made of metal. It has been the practice in the past, where S. THOMAS,

metal base boards and similar running strips are used, to provide special castings o1 similar cumbersome fittings at the corners or where the direction is to be changed. These castings are objectionable from a number of standpoints including weight and bulk as Well as relatively high cost of manufacture. The main object of the present invention is to provide corner or other angle fittings of a verysimple form which may conveniently be made of sheet metal stamped or pressed into the desired form.

In connection with the foregoing, it is a further object of the invention to so form and. arrange these fittings that when they are set into place with the base boards or other running strips, and when the walls and floor of the building construction are completed the exposed surfaces will be substantially continuous and flush at all points, and present a pleasing and sightly appear- "ance.

'More particularly it is an object of this invention to make provision for convenient connection of the base boards or running strips to the corner or angle fittings themselves, taking into account the form and construction of certain metal base board types which are extensively in use at this time. In this connection it is a further 'object'to provide for very simple and convenient at tachment of the end portions of the base boards, etc, to the fitting by the use of bolts,

nails, screws or other convenient attaching devices and without the necessity of provid lng special attaching means.

till more particularly it is an object of the invention to provide for the fiush at tachment of the base boards or running strips with the fittings so as to establish. the flush exposed surfaces previously referred to, while at the same time giving adequate support to the back side of the end portions of the base boards, etc. This idea incorporates the feature of providing an oifset in the edge portion of the fitting of the proper depth to accommodate the thickness of the base board or the like. In the present application I have disclosed constructions in which this offset portion is provided particularly by the use of sheet metal stampings which are adapted for direct application to the body portion of the fitting so as to establish outwardly projecting oii'set flanges at the sides of the completed fitting. More particularly the element which is thus attached to the body of the fittingis established as a unitary structure and thus serves to provide the flanges at both sides of the fitting.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same, which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an inside corner fitting embodying the features of the present invention and having applied to one edge thereof the end portion of a strip of base board, the other edge of the fitting being exposed before the application of the base board strip thereto;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective View showing the form of fitting plate illustrated in the combination of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the 'fiangeplateuscd in the combination of Fig.

Fig. t shows a side elevation corresponding to Fig. 1, the base board strip not be ng in place;

Fig' 5 shows a top plan vlew corresponding to Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 shows a bottom plan view correspondingto Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 shows a rearperspective view of a modified form of fitting embodying the features. of the present invention, the same being for use onan external corner and showing the end portion of one base board strip in place;

Fig. 8 shows a perspective, view of the fitting plate of the form shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9' shows a perspective view of the flange plate of the form shown in Fig. 7

Fig. 10 shows a side elevation of the form shown in Fig. 7, without the presence of the base board strip;

Fig. 11 shows a top plan view'corresponding to Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 shows a bottom" plan view corre sponding to Fig. 10 Referring first to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, and more particularly to Fig. 1, the end portion of one of the base board strips is designatedzby the numeral 15. It is of standard construction and includes the vertical body portion 16, whose lower end portion 17 is generally curved outwardly on a smooth sweep; to a point where it lies practically tangent lto the floor surface. The extreme lower edge; portion 18 is turned straight down so as'to stand in a Vertical position. The upper portion of the strip 15 is generally'deflected' back on a sharp angle, as-show'n at 19, for substan tially the thickness of the plastering, and the extreme upper edge 20 is turned up-into a vertical position, as shown in 1.

The result of the foregoing is that the flanges 18 and 20 may be set or attached solidly to suitable nailing strips or the like so as to hold the base board rigidly in place. When. the plastering is completed it comes down substantially flush with the upper edge of the body portion 16, and when the floor islaid into position it comes practically flush with'the edge of the curved portion 17. In this'way a practically continuous flush connection is established between the surface of the floor and the sur face of the wall. V 1 A i The fitting of the present invention, whether used for an internal or external angle is intended to establish a flush connection with the end portions of the base boards or other running strips and at the same time provide a firm and rigid connection thereof with the walls "or other permanent structure.

In the forms herein illustrated the angles are 90, but manifestlythe features of the invention may also be used for joining up either sharper or easier angles.

Where an inside angle is to be fitted, there is provided a fitting plate 21. This has the side vertical wings 22 and 23 which are intended to contact the end portions of the base board or like strips, and the lower portion of the fitting is dished outwardly on regular curves, assh'own at 24, so that its two edges 25 and 26 will properly register with the edges of the base board or plate 21, that the reach rearwardly like strips clear down to the point where the same become tangent to the floor surface. In the case of a right angle inside fitting, the wings 22 and 23 lie at right angles to each other, and the lower, portions of the edges 25 and 26 will approach each other at points somewhat removed from the point 27 which represents the exact center of the curve on which the lower portion 24 is dished. I, therefore, in such cases provide a notch 28 in the lower central portion of the fitting so as to establish the edge 29 in direct registry with the lower flanges 18 of the base boa-rd strips when in place. The relationship, of the parts when assembled will be readily understood from examination of Fig. 1.

At the sides of the fitting plate 21 there are established the flanges 30 and 31 which project beyond the fitting plate a distance sufficient to provide for rigid attachment of the end portions of the base boards. These flanges are furthermore offset from the surface of the fittingplate 21 a :distance sub, stantially equal to the thickness of the material of the base boards.

The flanges 30 and 31 are a unitary plate designated in. its entirety by the numeral 32. It has the vertical side portions, 33 and 34 which establish the flanges, said portions being joined together at their lower ends as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. The bodies of the'portions 33 and 34 are vertical, and their lower portions are curved inwardly as shown at 35 and 36 to correspond with the curvature of the fitt ng plate 21. i The downwardly depending flanges 37 and 38 are provided at the lower ends of the curved portions 35 and 36, said portions 37 and 38 being turned into a vertical position.

' The upper ends established by of the arms 33 and 34 are bent rearwardly, as shown at 39 and 40, and then theupstanding vertical lugs 41 and 42 are established o-n'the rearward extensions 39 and 40.

The member 32 is so related to the fitting two parts may be set together, as clearly shown in the different figures, and then secured by spot welding or otherwise. When this is done, the flanges 30 and 31 will be established in close relationship to the. sides 22 and 23 of the fitting plate, the lugs 37 and 38 will reach downwardly directly from the sides of the notch 28, and the offset portions 39 and 40 will from points slightly below the top edgeof the fitting plate, as clearly evidenced in Figs. 1 and 4.

The upper portions of the members-33 and 34 are notched, as'shown at 43 and 44, in such a manner, and the size of the offset portions 39 and 40 is such, with respect to the their portions 19 will reach through the slots aforesaid and allow the base board flanges 20 to seat against the back sides of the upper lugs 41 and 42. In other Words, the base boards thus pass from a condition where their body portions lie in front of the lugs and 31, to a condition where their flanges 2O lie behind the lugs 41 and 42. This makes it possible to keep the upper flange of the board strip in solid contact with the body of the wall throughout its length, while at the same time giving the desired rigid relationship with respect to the corner fitting.

Owing to the fact that the edge portions of the fitting plate are carried out a certain distance of tangency with respect to the base boards, the flanges 33 and 34 can be set against these tangential edge portions and spot welded or otherwise secured thereto at various points in their height.

It will be understood that the thickness of the fitting plate is intended to be the same as that of the base board material, so that a flush exposed surface will be presented when the parts are assembled.

The form shown in Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive is intended for use with an external angle. In this case the fitting plate 45 has the vertical side portions 46 and 47 joined together on the desired curvature, the lower portion of the fitting 45 being dishedoutwardly as shown at 48 in order to bring its edge portion into tangency with respect to the floor level. In this construction the member 49 is similar to the member 32 previously referred to with the exception that it is intended to lie against the back surface 'of the fitting plate 45. lVhen the parts are assembled together a relationship similar to that already explained is established.

I Wish to point out the fact that in the construction herein particularly illustrated, the flanges are established by the use of an integral or unitary plate which is attached to the fitting plate as a unit.

While I have herein shown and described only certain embodiments of the features of my present invention, still I do not intend to limit myself to the same, except as I may do so in the claim.

I claim:

As a new article of manufacture, a sheet metal angle fitting adapted for use in conjunction with a sheet metal base board strip, said fitting comprising a fitting plate of thickness equal to that of the base board strip and having a vertical body portion whose sides come together on the desired angle or curvature and whose-lower portion is formed on a curved surface of which the lower edge portion terminates at every pointsubstantially tangent to the surface of the floor and a flange plate secured against the back face of the fitting plate and having portions adapted to lie against the back face of the fitting plate and project beyond the edges thereof, and conforming in their lower portions to the curvature of the lower portion of the fitting plate substantially as described.

WINGATE S. THOMAS. 

